Born in Caracas, Venezuela, on August 1st 1997, Diego de León (aka: Lyon Blanq) lived in Caracas most of his life. At the age of 18 he moves to Miami, developing his musical career as an Artist and Record Producer.
Learning music mostly by himself, Lyon Blanq is a big fan of Rock and Alternative Music since he was a child. Artists like The Smashing Pumpkins, Jack White, David Bowie, Foo Fighters and many others, had a huge impact on him.
This guy likes to play with synths, overdrived guitars and retro atmospheres too. Making his way out to his listeners, the way he proposes music and sounds from scratch it’s purely passional and experimental.
Q:When you decide it’s time to make a new record, is that more exciting or stressful?
Ans: It is a mix between those two; I always come up with new ideas but usually I stress out when they run wild with no structure.
Q: How easily do songs tend to come to you?
Ans : From little details in life or experiences.
Q: What is you favorite song to belt out at the bar/in the car?
ANs: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes; I can’t explain the essence and joy overtime I hear that tune. There is nothing like it. That’s another inspiration for me too!.
Q: For our readers who have never heard your music, explain your sound in 5 words?
Ans: Retro, Stereo, Variety, Heart and Meaning.
Q:Who are your inspirations?
Ans: I am highly inspired by retro sounds from the 80’s, I love that vintage and melodic sounds with little touches of modern waves. I love the way Phil Collins, The Cure, Bowie and many others expressed their sound the way they did back then.
Q:When and why did you start playing?
ANS: I started playing music back in 2010, after I got my first acoustic guitar. A black Palmer named “Conchita”. In those days me and my cousins had a blast playing those Guitar Hero games and I gave it a shot to the real deal; a real guitar.
Q: Which instruments do you play?
Ans: I play Synths, Guitars and vocals soon.
Q: Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Ans: The one I look up the most is David Bowie, I really like weird and different people who have something to say or to show. Nowdays everything is very much binary or similar to each other. I have learn that being a creative and weird person can make a difference.
Q: What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
Ans: My cousin’s bedroom in Venezuela when I was a child. Figuring out how to make a song. I sang and he played the guitar.
Q: Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD’s?
Ans: One of the records I like the most is “Ride the Lighting” by Metallica. I grew up with it and I still blast it on my stereo. Foo Fighters is one of those bands that, to me, its the definition of cool; their energy, presence on stage, the passion they put on their records. Its pure magic.
Follow On Instagram : @lyonblanq
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